Melon Sword (Echinodorus osiris) - Potted

The Melon Sword (Echinodorus osiris), also called the Red Melon Sword, is a bold rosette plant that makes an easy, eye-catching centerpiece. New leaves push up in warm bronze and reddish tones before maturing to broad, slightly wavy olive-green blades. It is hardy, undemanding, and grows large, giving any midground or background instant impact without CO2.

This plant arrives potted in rock wool, ready to plant. Browse the rest of our live aquarium plants to build a full planted layout.

Care Guide

• Care level: Easy
• Lighting: Moderate; stronger light brings out more red in new growth
• Placement: Midground to background centerpiece; give it room to spread
• Growth: Large rosette, moderate; remove old outer leaves as new ones emerge
• CO2: Not required, but boosts size and color
• Substrate: Heavy root feeder, root tabs make a big difference
• Propagation: Sends out runners and adventitious plantlets you can separate and replant

Specifications

Companion Plants

Sword plants anchor a layout, so pair this with finer textures around it:

• Amazon Sword for a matching broad-leaf background
• Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Bronze' to echo the warm tones in the midground
• Java Moss to soften the base and hardscape

Recommended Supplies

• Seachem Flourish Tabs root tabs, essential for this heavy root feeder
• Aquarium Co-Op Easy Potassium for full, healthy leaves
• CaribSea PyroFlora Substrate for a nutrient-rich base
• More live aquarium plants

FAQ

How big does a Melon Sword get?
It is a large plant, often reaching 12 to 20 inches across and tall in an established tank. Plan for a 20 gallon or larger aquarium and give it space to spread.

Why are the new leaves reddish?
That is normal and one of its best features. Fresh leaves emerge bronze to red, then settle into olive green. Brighter light keeps more of that color.

Does it need CO2 or special fertilizer?
No CO2 is required. It is a heavy root feeder, though, so root tabs in the substrate keep it lush and growing strong.

Is it safe for fish and shrimp?
Yes. It is non-toxic and its broad leaves make great cover and grazing surfaces in community tanks.